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CITY OF ATLANTA
8 August 1969 ©
Memorandum Regarding Discrimination Against Black Firemen Of Atlanta
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-- Tos: Mayor Ivan Allen, Chairman Board of Firemasters, Alderman_Wm, ..T,
a _ Knight and Atlanta Fire Chief Paul 0, Williams 2
From: Black Firemen of Atlanta
—
The Black firefighters of Atlanta are dedicated municipal employees, af
concerned with the safety and welfare of our city and all of its citizens, |
During the years of our tenure as firemen we have been subjected to dis-~ - |
crimination and abuses as outlined below. We request that immdiate~ |
action be taken to correct these practices, and that on or before Monday, - |
August 18, 1969 that we receive a formal report on your actions in corrette
ing the actions cited herein: ; J “|
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I. HIRING PRACTICES “
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The ratio of Black Firemen to White Firemen -does not correspond
to the population of Black citizens in Atlanta. There are_about 90 to / /W-
100 Black Firemen in a department of more than 900 men. Black-Firemen/ 4%: /
. that are drafted into the armed services are replaced by.white firemen $7
II. SEGREGATED SLEEPING & LOCKER ARRANGEMENTS
- Lockers and beds of Black Firemen are placed in the back or away
from the white firemen. . . |
III. RECREATION CLUB
The membership was closed the year Rlac!
1963. Land was given to the club by the governme t 13 acres)
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IV. PROMOTIONAL DISCRIMINATION (o gues er -
Black Firemen should be included in every department. White fire= «|
men with less time and experience are promoted: to driver ions. slack
Firemen with 5 and 6 years should be promoted to Lieutenants, because the
entire officer cabinet is made uo of all white officers. Most of these
officers have been known_to-forcetheir-prejudices on Black Firemen. We
are aware of the test for Lieutenants, but in a time of an emergency men
have been promoted wholesale from private to captains within a year, thus.
setting proper precedent. We consider this an emergency-because of the
overall discrimination in the department. White drivers are giving up their
positions because they know future Lieutenants are going to be appointed by
Chiefs.- This is true because in the last captain's test the aides of all ;
the chiefs dominated the list. Some of these Lieutenants didn't place in
the top 40 on the Lieutenants list. ‘Now they are captains.
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V. EXPERIENCE AND LENGTH OF TIME ON THE DEPARTMENT
Acting officers,'we feel that every Black Firemen with the time
and experience, equal to any white firemen, should be-.given the opportunity
to be an acting officer. This applies to extra drivers. House dyties
should be picked according to seniority. Gon 1S mero fam 5
VI. STANDARD SET OF RULES FOR ALL CAPTAINS
Each shift is operated different, captain authority has no limit.
He forces personal prejudices on Black Firemen. Transfer of men to other -
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FOR CONTACT: Fireman William Hamer boot bo apy he
195 Hermer Circle, N. W. esa
Atlanta, Georgia 30311 sat TSP Oe, 2h:
Blephone - 794-2244 —
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Fire Station 16 on C Shift
Telephone 523-5786